1. DIA 1

2. Balancing expertise, societal input and political control in the production of policy advice: the Flemish Education Council as an actor of change in the policy on students with disabilities in higher education Isabelle De Ridder Flemish Education Council

3. = the strategic advisory council for the Education and Training policy of the Flemish Community; plays an important role in the Flemish policymaking process; an advisory body: gives advice on request of the Flemish Minister of Education and Training; gives advice on its own initiative; DIA 3 Flemish Education Council (VLOR) I

4. stands for advice, consultation, study and services; translates the expectations and suggestions of society and the educational field into recommendations for the government; evaluates the propositions of the minister; DIA 4 Flemish Education Council (VLOR) II

5. Flemish Education Council (VLOR) III reflects on the outlines of certain educational policies; draws attention to themes that might become important in the near future; is organised by level of education: council for higher education. DIA 5

6. DIA 6 staff students institutions of higher education experts socio cultural and economic partners government COMPROMISE Flemish Education Council (VLOR) IV

7. DIA 7 Minister of Education and Training FLEMISH EDUCATION COUNCIL (VLOR) EDUCATIONAL FIELDSOCIETY Expectations and proposals Policy plans RecommendationsAdvice on own initiative

8. DIA 8 Administration / Minister FLEMISH EDUCATION COUNCIL (VLOR) parliament preparation advice Cycle of Flemish policy making Government decision consultation Juridical advice Government implementation society Amendements and voting

9. CHANGE TROUGH CONSULTATION AND DEBATE

10. Equal opportunities in higher education and VLOR I Diversity as a surplus value in higher education: the act of commitment (2005) Commitments of each of the partners of the Council; VLOR: exchange of good practices on a regular basis (annually) Diversity in higher education as a major policy theme (2006) DIA 10 CHANGE IN MENTALITY

11. Equal opportunities in higher education and VLOR II Diversity in higher education as a major policy theme for the Council Commission of students with a disability ADVICE ON: Inclusive higher education; Registration of students with a disability; Funding of students with disabilities; The implementation of the VN-convention for persons with disabilities. DIA 11

12. Equal opportunities in higher education and VLOR III Diversity in higher education: Registration of under represented groups; Funding of under represented groups. DIA 12

13. CHANGE TROUGH CONSULTATION AND DEBATE

14. Inclusive higher education Responsibilities of Government Institutions of higher education Students DIA 14 will of the government to legalize inclusive higher education

15. Registration of students with disabilities in higher education Proposition of procedure documents DIA 15 used in ¾ of the Flemish higher education institutions Constant plea for legalization by stakeholders

16. Funding of students with disabilities in higher education Demonstration of the need of extra funding for students with disabilities DIA 16 extra funding for students with disabilities through 1.5-weighing of achieved study points DEBATE on: definition recognised groups principle of ceiling

17. Implementation of the UN- convention Demonstration of the need of implementation and flaws in legislation for students with disabilities DIA 17 ongoing debate

18. Diversity in higher education Proposition of definition of under represented groups Proposition of registration of under represented groups Demonstration of the need of extra funding Responsibilities of government, institutions and students DIA 18 Extra funding for under represented groups DEBATE on: definition recognised groups registration need of structural funding

19. CHANGE TROUGH CONSULTATION AND DEBATE

20. Thank you for your attention! Questions? isabelle.deridder@vlor.be